ROCKINGHAM — NASCAR and ARCA won’t be the only racing sanctioning bodies represented at ThunderFest on Thursday.
Organizers announced the last-minute addition of NHRA Pro Stock driver Matt Latino on the vendor list.
According to his bio at the NHRA website, Latino is a second-generation driver who worked on the crew for his father’s Pro Mod team from ages 12-20, and became licensed in Pro Stock in 2025.
Latino, 21, began racing go-karts when he was 5 years old. When he turned 16, Latino drove a 1964 Plymouth Valiant before moving to a 1973 Plymouth Duster, which he raced in the Pro Street class.
A Charlotte resident, Latino is director of business development for Global Emissions Systems.
In addition to Richmond County hosting NASCAR’s Craftsman Truck Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races this weekend at Rockingham Speedway, the NHRA is also holding a playoff race at Rockingham Dragway.
Late last year, it was announced that NHRA Nationals at the Rock will be held Sept. 25-27. That announcement was made with an appearance by six-time and reigning Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson, Latino's teammate at KB Titan Racing.
Earlier this month, three-time Funny Car champ Ron Capps and rookie Top Fuel driver Maddie Gordon made an appearance at the dragway in promotion of the national event.
ThunderFest, the official kick-off to the NASCAR triple-race weekend at Rockingham Speedway, is a free event that will feature a meet-and-greet with drivers, food and other vendors, as well as musical entertainment from Anna J and the Eli Young Band.
